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Suicide Squad Film Review

A secret government agency run by Amanda Waller, named A.R.G.U.S creates a task force comprising super villains, the "Suicide Squad". They are assigned to execute dangerous tasks in exchange for shorter prison sentences.

The Review

The worst heroes ever disgrace the big screen this week, and their neon-fuelled nightmare is pure comic book blockbuster fun.

After the somewhat brutal Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice it’s great to see DC inject some much-needed humour - and charisma - into a movie. And that’s largely thanks to Will Smith, who is back to his career best form and is the beating heart along with his Focus co-star Margot Robbie. While you might turn up for Robbie’s perfectly executed Harley Quinn, you’ll leave thinking damn Smith still has swag.

Not to take anything away from the rest of the squad cast, as their hilarious chemistry makes up for some of the story issues the movie faces as it moves along. Robbie was obviously born for this role, she sounds exactly like the original version from Batman: The Animated Series and her quality banter rivals that of Deadpool. But a surprise scene-stealer is Jai Courtney, who is an absolute riot as Aussie villain Captain Boomerang. Kudos to Jared Leto too, while it’s nigh impossible to follow in Heath Ledger’s footsteps he definitely delivers as the Joker.

And Suicide Squad looks a million bucks too. Like the brilliant and refreshing marketing design (I love the skull stencils and mushroom cloud posters), the movie opens with candy-coloured graphic visuals - crafted to fit each character as they are introduced. And for at least the first half, scenes pop like splash pages out of a comic book.

But it still suffers the same flaws of Batman v Superman, mainly drawn out, dark and rainy action scenes – can’t the DC heroes just fight in the light for once? While there are some sick slomo (anti) hero shots director David Ayer could have cut back on one frenetic bullet-riddled sequence.

Ayer, who wrote the film too, has made movies with better arcs and tighter scripts like Fury and Training Day, but is still a marked improvement on Zack Snyder who can’t seem to crack a laugh to save himself. And boy Ayer can soundtrack a movie. Just like he proved in the memorable trailers, he’s littered the film with songs from the likes of Queen, The Rolling Stones, Eminem and The White Stripes that fit scenes just perfect.

The Verdict

While it does suffer Batman v Superman sized flaws, Suicide Squad is far better blockbuster entertainment thanks to the charisma and hilarious banter of the core team.

The Trailer

The Info

Releases: 4th August 2016

Rating: M – Contains violence and offensive language

Duration: 123 minutes

Genre: Sci-Fi

Starring: Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie

Director: David Ayer (Fury, Sabotage, End of Watch)

The Extras

The majority of the cast and crew got the tattoo "SKWAD" in honor of the film. The tattoos were even applied by some of the cast members (Margot Robbie & Will Smith).

In an interview with Empire Magazine, Zack Snyder stated that each member of the Suicide Squad has a vendetta against Batman as he is the one responsible for them all being behind bars at the start of the film.

Jared Leto got so immersed in playing The Joker and he wouldn't break out of character on set even when he wasn't filming. He even sent his fellow cast members "Joker-like" presents: a rat to Margot Robbie and bullets to Will Smith, a soiled Playboy magazine to Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and a dead hog, anal beads and used condoms for the whole crew. Scott Eastwood, commented that Leto frightened him at times with his behaviour.

This movie will be released on the 50th anniversary of the Joker's live-action debut (Cesar Romero in both Batman (1966) and Batman: The Movie (1966)).

It has been suggested that because of the dark and tormenting nature of the film, an on-set therapist was hired to keep the cast grounded.

To prepare for his role as Deadshot, Will Smith shaved his head and spent time training with Navy SEALS and Army Rangers, practicing firing a Glock 9mm handgun and an AR-15 rifle. The actor turned out to be a quick learner, particularly with long distance shots using the AR-15.

This is the third live-action version of the Suicide Squad. It had previously appeared in Smallville (2001) and Arrow (2012).

The Joker's car, the Jokermobile, is a customised Infiniti G35 Vaydor.

Ryan Gosling was sought out first for the role of The Joker. He reportedly turned down the role because he didn't want to sign on for a multi-picture deal that the studio was requiring.

Jared Leto visited New York Comic Con 2015 in disguise and took a picture with an unsuspecting fan cosplaying the Joker.

Ben Affleck is the first actor to portray Batman in two movies helmed by different directors. He is also the first actor to portray Batman in two different movies within the same year.